FIFPRO hit out at FIFA for ignoring players' 'basic needs' and claim footballers fear consequences of speaking out over increasingly demanding schedules
FIFPRO slam FIFA for ignoring their "basic needs"
Say many fear consequences of speaking out
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WHAT HAPPENED?
FIFPRO's general secretary, Alex Phillips, states that many of the 66,000 men's and women's players they represent around the world are concerned about their lack of rest and the sheer number of games they play. She added that there is also a fear of reprisal if they speak their mind on the topic.
WHAT PHILLIPS SAID
She said: "Players are wary of speaking up because they don't have the power. Individually they might have wealth, the top 1%, but 99% of players don't have power apart from via their union or association. Before the Club World Cup I was speaking to some of the top stars and they were saying they hadn't had a rest for 'X' amount of time, and one said I only get a rest when I get injured. Others were resigned and cynical about speaking up. Then you see some of the same players two weeks later having to record social media videos saying 'we think the Club World Cup is so great' because their employers tell them to do it and it's part of their job. You have this contradictory situation where players can't speak up. They are in an invidious position. They can speak up but it could have consequences."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
In response, FIFA said it was "extremely disappointed by the increasingly divisive and contradictory tone adopted by FIFPRO leadership".
The governing body said in a statement: "The game deserves unity, not division. Players deserve action, not rhetoric. FIFA will move forward together with players and those who really want the best for football. It is up to Fifpro to answer this call."
Despite that, players such as Manchester City's Rodri has threatened to go on strike as many have been left exhausted by the increasingly demanding schedule - something that was exacerbated with this summer's Club World Cup.
Moreover, FIFPRO were reportedly not invited to a key meeting that FIFA held on player welfare earlier this month, and this has happened before, too.
WHAT NEXT?
This war of words may continue between FIFA and FIFPRO but unless a solution is found, players are likely to get increasingly burnt out or pick up more injuries that could damage their careers. For example, Club World Cup winners Chelsea won the tournament on July 13, and just 35 days later, their Premier League campaign begins.
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